DUDE! THAT’S HUGE!

DUDE! THAT’S HUGE!

Luke 1:15-16

15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.

16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Luke 1:31-32

31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.

32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:

           Only twice in our English Bible do we read “he shall be great.” Both times the phrase was part of an angelic announcement of a miraculous birth. The announcement to Elizabeth that she would be the mother of John the Baptist was enormous in its significance.

           The only Bible the Jews had ended with a promise that Elijah the prophet would return to “turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.” (Malachi 4:5, 6) This is what the angel said to Elizabeth. “He shall be great” [Greek: megas]. Jesus declared that John fulfilled the promise of the return of Elijah in Matthew 11:13, 14. John signaled the end of the Old Testament system and the beginning of the New. John’s ministry was pivotal; huge.

           The second announcement regarded the birth of Jesus. He too would be great; even greater than John. In fact John said that he was unworthy to unloose the latchet of Jesus’ shoes, apparently a reference to the servile washing of feet. (See Luke 3:16)

           How “great” are you? It is probable that you can’t answer or even know. Few of us can properly evaluate our real worth but the good news is that Jesus loves you and thinks highly of you. He died in your place that you might have His righteousness and salvation. Dude! That’s huge!

Savior, your love for me is huge. I can’t fathom it. It defies calculation or comprehension. Thank you, Lord. AMEN